Spring-pawl drive for stokers



Jan. 9, 1923.. JLMZMW.

I. W. ROHRER.

SPRING PAWL DRI VE FORSTOKERS.

FILED MA! 22 1920.

' ATTORNEY atented n.lan. 1 lift JOHN W. ROHREB, 01E COLUMBU$, 015E101.

SPRING-PAWL DRIVE FOR STOERS.

Application filed May 22, 1920. fierial No. 383,5t31e To all 'whom it may concern Be-it known that 1, JoiaN W. Ronnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spring-Pawl Drives for Stokers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to power transmitting devices, particularly to pawl and ratchet'mechanisms, and has for its object the provision of a spring-pressed pawl driven mechanism designed particularly for use in locomotive stokers, the particular feature of the invention-being the provision of the compression spring device associated with each pawl whereby to urge the pawls into engagement with the ratchet in contradistinction to the well knowntension spring connected with adjacent pawls for the same purpose.

An important object is the provision of a device of this character which will be sirnple and inexpensive in manufacture, highly eflicient in use, durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in View, the invention consists in l the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an elevator of alocomotive stok ing apparatus, and

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view there through, showing my device in front elevation, one of the spring members of my device being shown in section, this view being taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A designates the casing of a locomotive stoking apparatus, and B designates the conveyor thereof. C designates the hollow shaft of the conveyor. D designates the shaft which carries a drive gear E and which extends through the hollow shaft C, F designates the ratchet secured upon the shaft D, an'd G designates a rotatable head carried by the hollow shaft C. Certain other minor parts shown in Figure 1 are not described in detail as they are part of wellknown and conventional stoking apparatus and are not essential to an understanding of the invention.

in carrying out my invention, instead,

of using .the ordinary spring-pressed pawl connection between the ratchet F and head .G, I make use of a plurality of pawls 10 which is screwed a guide member 12 including a shank 18 which is threaded and which is formed with a bore 14: and which is formed with an angular head 15 having a socket 16 registering with the bore 1a. Disposed within the bore 14: is a guide sleeve 1'7 which has a bore and which has a rounded end engaging within a recess of the associated pawl 10. Disposed within the bore of this sleeve 17 is a compression spring 18 which has one end bearing against the end of the bore and which has its other end bearing against the end wall of the socket l6.

lit will be seen that the springs 18 will urge the pawls 10 into engagement with the ratchet F. lit will also be apparent that,

my device may be adjusted by virtue of the fact that the outer members thereof are screwed into holes in the head.

In devices of this character there is ordinarily provided a reversing mechanism including a parallel rotatable member H carrying arms I engageable with the pawls 10 whereby either pair of pawls may be moved out of engagement with the ratchet F. When one pair of pawls is out of engagement with the ratchet the head Gr will be driven in one direction and when the other pawls are out of engagement with the ratchet the head will be driven in the reverse direction. While this mechanism is described and shown as associated with a locomotive stoker it will be readily apparent that there is no reason whythe mechanism cannot be associated with various devices in which it is desired to effect direct or reverse drive between relatively rotatable members.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that l have thus provided a simply constructed and yet highly eilicient device which will be advantageous inasmuch as it is very durable and a general improvement in the art.

Specifically considered it will be observed that my improvement includes means adapted to serve as a guide to the flexible pawl spring which will care for the alinement of the spring and prolong the usefulness thereof; also. that my improvement permits of a pawl spring being removed and applied in case of inspection or renewal when the spring breaks without taking the driving head apart. \Vith my improvement all that is necessary when removal of the pawl spring is desired is to unscrew the guide nut 12 and pull the spring 18 and the spring *asing 17 radially outward through the threaded aperture 11. To apply a new spring, the said spring is disposed in the casing 17 and the said casing 17 is inserted in the bore of the guide nut 12 and into the recess of the pawl. Then the nut 12 is simply turned into the threaded aperture in the head G. The practical advantage of this facility of displacement will be better appreciated when it is stated that in most modern locomotives the space in which one is to work is very limited as is also the time for making repairs.

TWhile- I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is of course to be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction, and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoincd claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

The combination of a head with a threaded radial aperture therein, a pawl hingedlv connected to the head, a nut or threaded guide member occupying said threaded aperture and closed at its outer end and having a bore open at its inner end a casing movable rectilinearly in said bore of the guide member or nut and closed and rounded at its inner end and having said end arranged to exert inward pressure against the back of the pawl. andra spring removably arranged in said casing and in the guide member or nut and interposed between the outer end of the guide member or nut and the inner closed end of the casing: thesaid spring-being entirely housed in the guide member or nut and the casing.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOHN w. ROHRER. 

